1. What is culture and why is it important for business managers to have an understanding of cultural differences among countries?
I
remember my English language teacher saying that culture and nature are the two
most challenging words for lexicographers to define. Notwithstanding, I
think one could endeavor and write own view of culture. On a macro
level, culture is the sum of habits, beliefs, and artistic model
accumulated and shared over several centuries by a large group of
people. Language, religion, and geopolitical boundaries are factors we usually
take into consideration when identifying culture types. On a micro level, culture
is also synonymous to certain ideologies and/or behaviors one must adopt or
adapt-to to be able to seamlessly fit into any society. The 20th
century witnessed an unprecedented technological revolution especially in the
communication and transportation fields. These advancements resulted in an even
bigger economic boom that encompassed literally every sovereign country
worldwide. Politically, we see neighboring countries form regional commercial
alliances on nearly every continent. The world is on its way to become one big
hyper-market or department-store where customer is the undisputed king. Commercially-open
borders and trade liberation treaties have encouraged many organizations to
venture internationally. Having previously learned the hard way, international
brands now know how important it is to invest in cultural awareness because it
has a direct influence on the success of any international business transaction.
We also see this in branding where international brands adapt to
specific-market preferences. Furthermore, cultural awareness is important for
companies that employ employees from different nationalities to ensure a
homogeneous work environment.
2.
List and explain 3
different layers of culture.
Though
there have been different interpretations of culture, the example where culture
is compared to an onion, in terms of apparent and subtle layers, is the most
frequently used analogy. In this analogy, culture is considered to have three
different layers. the outer layer of the onion represents the most tangible or
apparent aspect of culture like attire, language, and food. The second layer
represents a less visible aspect of culture: typical customs and behavior (norms),
and their justification (values). The innermost layer of the onion is what is
called implicit or intangible culture. It includes sets of basic rules and
methods deeply embedded in individuals that they have become second nature, yet
challenging for an outsider to understand.
3.
Identify and
discuss 5 different cultural universals.
Cultural
universals are general commonalities that are shared by most cultures to some
degree. In a way, they highlight attributes shared by different cultures around
the globe. Examples of cultural universals are listed hereafter:
1. Environment:
all cultures have adapted to their environments in some manner. This is
apparent in national dress and cuisine.
2. Economics:
every society has its own economic structure in which goods and services are
provided. We always find set rules for everyday trade, barter, jobs, and forms
of currency.
3. Beliefs:
every culture has a set of strong beliefs so embedded in the collective mind
and believed to be undisputed facts. Religion and views on marriage and sexual
morality are examples of such beliefs,
4. Language:
every culture has its own version of preferred communication language. Even in
vast regions that host multiple cultures that share the same language, we find
each individual culture has added its own twist to it.
5. Art:
all cultures have their own national treasure. Be it painting, myths, singsong,
folktales that distinguish each culture from the rest.
4.
What relationship,
if any, exists between culture and language?
One
of the definitions of the adjective “Homologous” is “similar in position,
structure, and evolutionary origin but not necessarily in function” (Google
translation). The relationship between culture and language is often complex
and entangled. Languages are inherently created by cultures yet we see evidence
of cultures being greatly influenced by language. Some also view language as a
key component of culture.
5.
Explain the Sapir-Whorf
hypothesis of linguistic relativity!
Edward Sapir and
Benjamin Lee Whorf proposed the theory of linguistic relativity which
hypothesized that a particular language may affect the speaker’s perception or
own-model of the world. Similarly, there are certain thoughts that maybe
understood more when conveyed in one language over another. In other words,
people in a specific culture use language to convey thoughts that reflect said
culture’s norms and values. This is also apparent in Semantic Relativity where
certain words in a given language may trigger corresponding images or thoughts
in the minds of native speakers of said language and not foreigners, even if
they spoke that language fluently.
